Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-19

The Sixty-third Legislature.

The Sixty-third Legislature.
This legislature passes into history witt
a record of great industry, patient ex
animation of all important matters which
scame before 1t, honesty of purpose, ability
and vast amount of work faithfully ant
in the main satisfactorily accomplished
1t was body of men of sterling worth
and though an unusually large proportion
of the members we're inexperienced in thu
halls of legislation, they entered into thu
business of the session with the readiness
of trained men and filed their places lik'
veterans.
The legislature was exceedingly fortu
nate in the presiding officers and thu
subordinate officials. President Marble
OF the Senate filled his place with dignit,
and honor Secretary Tilden and his as
sistant were experienced and competent
and in their department the business raj
smoothly.
Speaker Lttlefield made his mark as /;
presiding officer. He is young man o
ability and character and destined to grow
in honor as the years roll by. Mr.. Fessen
den is an efficient clerk. He and his as
sistants did yeoman service in pushing
things along and aiding to get through
the mass of business which crowded upon
the legislature.
The work ccomplished was important.
The labor question was well discussed and
such measure passed as is satisfactory
to the foremost friends of the advance
ment of the cause of labor. 1t will be
criticised, of course, but it is a good step
In the right direction. The laws for the
suppression of liquor selling were
strengthened and reinforced in accord
ance with what temperance sentiment
required. The passage of the resolve
submitting the question OF re-establishing
annual sessions of the legislature. evinced
remarkable strength in favor of return
to that practice. In the Senate every
vote was in in favor of the step; in the
House only handful recorded their votes
against it. There is decided change OF
sentiment among the people upon this SUBJ
ject Time. experience. observation and
candid discussion have caused revolu-
ton in opinion which the legislature has
duly recognized and opened the way for
the desired change. The abolition of cap.
ital punishment followed necessarily from
the failure of capital punishment las shown
by the criminal record to do what its sup.
porters claimed it would do to prevent
murder We trust the greater certainty of
punishment which will follow the repeal
OF hanging will produce better effect
than the sanguinary law which is abolish
cd.
These are only few of the important
measures passed by the legislature. There
are others of great interest which we have
not space to mention. If some are disap-
pointed in the action Of the legislature,
they must remember that in the de-
cision of all important measures
where persons and parties are
enlisted on the one side and the other.
somebody is sure to be disappointed. But
If all have had a fair hearing it is just to
give the legislature credit for honest pur
poses and fair conduct, and not accuse
members of injustice and wrong because
the majority were of an opinion contrary to
what the minority thought was right.
This Legislature will not escape criticism,
but tho public will accept and sustain its
work as whole as faithfully and well
dona